Sounds like a title for a romance novel. Right? Roses are typically the flowers that I think of when I hear the word "romance." I do love the ones that are available at the market. They usually last for 2 weeks and don't break the bank. Plus, I don't have to make a special trip to find them.
I got these cream and pink, shabby chic roses last week and they are still soo pretty. They are getting a little droopy this week, but they seem even more romantic to me when they start to droop. Speaking of roses, our rose bush in the front garden has a ton of rose hips on it this year. I didn't have time to clip off the last of the spent blooms - that's what produces the hips. Does anyone use rose hips for cooking, jam making or teas?
I tend to leave them on the bushes for the birds to feed on during the winter months. The birds seem to be very wary around our gardens lately. We have quite a few feral cats in our neighborhood and they are on the prowl at all times. I must say that we haven't seen any mice in the house this winter so that's definitely a plus.
Our next door neighbor has been catching the cats and getting them spayed. Although not fast enough it seems, there's a new bunch of kittens under her deck. The shelter that she's using won't keep the cats after they spay them, so she just brings them home. The local SPCA will take them, but they only keep them for a few days, then they are euthanized. I'm not sure that I like this plan of hers, I don't want a ton of cats doing their business in our gardens this summer, but I don't have a better plan. If anyone has any advice or ideas I'd love to hear from you.
So, I started out talking about roses and romance and ended with trapping cats. Hmmm...this is how my mind really works. It goes from one subject to another non-stop. Sometimes Mr OP has a hard time keeping up. I hope that I haven't made your heads spin!
I see that we have some new followers and would like to welcome you all. Hope that you enjoy your time spent at The Old Parsonage!
12 comments:
Roses and cats - that's life. :) Your roses are beautiful. I love to pick up flowers at the grocery store every once in awhile. Had carnations a few weeks ago that lasted until my cat chewed on them.
My aunt had stray cats show up at her house..they multiplied. She got a bunch of them fixed but they still multiply. It really has become an overwhelming problem.
Hi Leann...There's an organization in this area that does what your neighbor does...catches the ferals and spays them, then returns them.
Could you ask her to drop them off in a different location, like near a barn somewhere? I wouldn't like a small army of cats nearby, either. Especially with Honey Cat being very old now, and still loving to go outside in the warmer months.
Love your roses. Aren't they a blessing in our lives? So grateful. Susan
The key words are... NEXT DOOR. This so-close-neighbor, should take into consideration, the views of the people around her. It's your area too.
How is your relationship with her? I mean, we have one, whose (old) BF made ughhhhhh changes to her yard, with brought us grief. But there was no saying anything to her. I don't mean that, in a confrontational way. I just mean, there was no use.
Oh, how about zoning laws???? Any help there?
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!
Feral cats are just the saddest thing. My cat was a feral cat and I'm glad that I rescued her at the insistence of my kids. I run off "extra" cats in the neighborhood. They know not to come near my house nor my garden. I do love cats, but can not handle the spraying, the yeowling, the using my garden for a litter box. If only people would take care of their pets. Cats should not be allowed to roam anymore than dogs should. And there's my rant for the morning.
Sweet bouquet! I like roses when they are looking a bit shabby, too.
Hot pepper flakes or dried chilies will keep them out of your yard. Old tried and true method that works. A neighbor like this can be a real pain in the patootie. You will have to have a chat with her. Your property will be overrun with cats. xo
You commented that you are reading 'The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearley. Oh I love, love, love books by her!
I so hope you will too!!!
Just love 'em!
:-))))))))))))))
Wow. Our dogs only bark at our neighbors, not poop in their yard and yet THEY complain!! Our dogs are mostly inside dogs now...
Good luck to your roses and your neighbor! What are the rules about how many cats you can own? Maybe you could give City Hall an anonymous call...
I love the roses. I never think about getting fresh flowers at the market. These are lovely!
Love the roses, our market will drop the price and they still last a long time.
As for the cats, sigh. We have a huge problem as well. One had 4 kittens under out house. We took Mommy to get fixed and have now fixed the babies. While it won't totally fix the problem we all need to do what we can do AND it will at least save a few. Hope your neighbor reaps many blessings for her good heart.
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I luv that my hubby has my boys pick me up some flowers every time they go to the gtocery store.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful roses. I meant to buy flowers at the grocery last Fri., but forgot to go back around to that side before check out. Sorry - don't have an answer about the cats. We have an overload of cats around here also. One was in my courtyard today, but it was to cold for me to go out and make it leave - hope it did not leave anything behind. :/
That's funny, the change to cats suddenly from the romantic drooping flowers, but that's sort of neighborhood over the fence chit chat! Nice.
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